Multi-purpose ornamental caricature device and method therefor

ABSTRACT

A bow, card, packaging device, shipping or packing bow/card, ornament, invitation, party favor, novelty item, toy, craft item, piece of fine art, brochure or promotional item, etc., which folds into itself from a planar cut and creased or scored sheet of paper or any other foldable/bendable surface creating one unified picture or theme when the extremity panels are folded inward. The basis of the card is a basic shape interior central region with multiple sides such as, but not limited to a triangle, square, pentagon, hexagon, octagon, etc. From each flat side of the basic shape interior central region extends panels of same or different shapes and sizes, which are placed along the fold or hinge lines. The demarcation of the interior central region are side edges which are fold lines, perforations, scored, or side edge area of which a panel may be secured in place. Each panel contributes to the picture, shape and nature of the device when folded inward, towards the central interior region. When the panels are folded together along the fold line they combine and may overlap each other varying in degrees of the area overlapping, however overlapping is not necessary. The shape of each panel may vary in size, shape, material, and may not always be flat or whole. When folded into the interior central region with the other panels, they combine to form the shape for caricatures, plants, flowers, animals, objects, themes, etc. A minimum of one panel must fold inward towards the interior central region (either all ready folded or with instructions or implied instructions to fold) where each panel contributes to the form of the card. The panels may connect by themselves, or a device or adhesive may be implemented to augment and facilitate the closure of each panel. To open the device, the closed panels must be lifted up and away from the interior central region for the viewer to see the inside; however the device may remain closed for its usefulness. The method of making the device may include by hand, computer, mechanical or any combination thereof.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the priority filing date of ProvisionalApplication No. 60/459,709 dated Apr. 2, 2003

REFERENCES CITED

[0002] U.S. Patent Documents 395,953 January 1889 Clark 727,723 May 1903Webb D60,094 December 1921 Heindl 3,985,285 October 1976 Kitagawa 229/84,185,767 January 1980 Sykora 229/39 R 4,201,331 May 1980 Austin 229/140

[0003] Heindl, U.S. Pat No. D60,094, discloses a design for a pinwheel

[0004] Kitagawa, U.S. Pat. No. 3,985,285, discloses collapsiblepolygonal box which takes little space when collapsed and stored

[0005] Sykora, U.S. Pat. No. 4,185,767, discloses an ornamental packagestructure which includes a container portion for the product and aclosure portion comprising a plurality of top flaps joined to theclosure portion along substantially horizontal fold lines.

[0006] Austin, U.S. Pat. No. 4,201,331, discloses a butterfly cartonmade from a single blank with an auto-erecting lock bottom, and are-closeable top portion including an attractive butterfly wing shapeddesign.

[0007] Still there is a need for an attractive bow, card, packagingdevice, shipping or packing bow/card, ornament, invitation, party favor,novelty item, toy, craft item, piece of fine art, brochure orpromotional item, etc., which creates caricatures of humans, animals,plants, themes, etc by folding the extremity panels of the device inward(in a pinwheel fashion). Each device has an interior central region andpanels that extend outward in parallel or non-parallel directions.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

[0008] I have invented a bow, card, packaging device, shipping orpacking bow/card, ornament, invitation, party favor, novelty item, toy,craft item, piece of fine art, brochure or promotional item, etc., thatfolds inward in a pinwheel fashion and forms the image of a caricature,plant, human, theme, shape, object, etc. The device is a planar cut ofpaper or other foldable/bendable surfaces, which consists of an interiorcentral region such as but not limited to the basic shape of a triangle,square, rectangle, pentagon, hexagon, octagon, etc. Each interiorcentral region has side edges. Each side edge of the interior centralregion or “basic shape” is defined by fold lines, perforations, scoringor instructions which are made by hand, mechanical, computerized or anycombination thereof. Extending outwardly from the fold lines or sideedges of the basic shape interior central region are panels. When someor all of the panels are folded inward on the side edges of the interiorcentral region of the device, they form the image of a caricature,plant, human, theme, shape, object, etc. The panels may close bythemselves, or the closure may be augmented by a securing device oradhesive. Additional objects/ornaments may be attached by some form ofadhesive or fastening device to form additional parts or to enhance theexisting parts, but is not required for the basic form, only anenhancement to the existing form. My invention may be used in place of abow especially when mailing a package or adorning a gift in the place ofa card and/or a bow. My invention is also suitable for a bow, card,packaging device, shipping or packing bow/card, ornament, invitation,party favor, novelty item, toy, craft item, piece of fine art, brochureor promotional item, etc.,

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]FIGS. 1 through 5 are perspective views of an embodiment of myinvention during its folding or assembly steps which may be produced byhand, mechanical, computerized or any combination thereof

[0010]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one embodiment of my inventionfolded up

[0011]FIG. 7 is an unfolded view, die cut silhouette, pattern ortemplate of another embodiment of my invention

[0012]FIG. 8 is a front side, folded view of a decorated embodiment,which has a design and additional paper attached for leaves

[0013]FIG. 9 is the back side view of another embodiment whichillustrates a pentagon interior central region and the back side view ofFIG. 10

[0014]FIG. 10 is the front side, folded view of a pansy embodiment witha design and writing attached

[0015]FIG. 11 is the back side view of another embodiment whichillustrates a square interior central region and the back side view ofFIG. 12

[0016]FIG. 12 displays a star shape embodiment

[0017]FIG. 13 displays the pattern, die cut silhouette, template, etc.for a tree and an interior central region of a triangle

[0018]FIG. 14 is the front side, folded view of FIG. 13, which depicts aChristmas tree bow card

[0019]FIG. 15 is the back side view of a cut into pentagon interiorcentral region and includes additional panels or leaves 151,152,153,154attached with an adhesive

[0020]FIG. 16 displays the front side, folded view of FIG. 15, a cutinto pentagon interior central region, which illustrates a poinsettiawith the additional leaves attached 161,162,163,164,165

[0021]FIG. 17 is a pattern, die cut silhouette, template, etc. for astar santa which has a pentagon interior central region

[0022]FIG. 18 is the front side, folded up view of FIG. 17 whichillustrates a star santa with a string attached to hang as an ornamentdevice

[0023]FIG. 19 displays the back side view of FIG. 18 which displays thepanels extending beyond the pentagon central interior region

[0024]FIG. 20 displays a pentagon interior region with panels attachedto the interior central region with an adhesive and a string attachedfor use as an ornament

[0025]FIG. 21 displays a front side, folded view of a face caricature

[0026]FIG. 22 displays a front side view, folded view of a rabbitcaricature

[0027]FIG. 23 displays a pattern or die cut silhouette for a cat asshown in FIG. 24 which has a design on both the front side and back sideof the panels and two panels do not fold inward

[0028]FIG. 24 is the front side, folded view of FIG. 23

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT INVENTION

[0029] Referring to the Figures, each card's basic shape or interiorcentral region starts with a pentagon in FIGS. 1,2,3,4,5,7,9,17,19,20,triangle FIG. 13, square FIG. 11, hexagon FIG. 23, and a pentagoninterior region with cuts into the interior central region FIG. 15, etc.as the center interior region or body of the card. The instructions forfolding, fold lines, perforation, scoring which may be produced eitherby hand, mechanical, computerized or any combination thereof, are on theside edges of the interior basic shape which is the demarcation betweenthe interior central region and the panels extending outward. Extendedoutward from each side edge of the basic shape or interior centralregion are panels in FIGS. 1,7,13,17,23. Each panel folds down andinward either in sequential order or randomly. FIGS. 2,3,4,5 areexamples of panels folding in sequential order, 241, 242, 244, 245 inFIG. 24 displays random order. 22 in FIG. 2 is an example of the firstpanel folded down inward, then the second panel 33 in FIG. 3 folds downand inward, the third panel 44 in FIG. 4 folds down and inward, thefourth panel 55 in FIG. 5 folds down and inward and finally the last andfinal panel 66 in FIG. 6 is fold down, inward and flipped under thefirst folded outer panel 62 in FIG. 6. The front side of the card FIGS.6,8,10,12,14,16,18,21,22, 24 show how each panel is folded inward tocombine the form of a caricature, animal, plant, object, theme, etc. ofthe card, and FIGS. 23,24 displays how panels may be folded or unfoldedto form the card.

[0030] The back side of the card in FIGS. 9,11,15,19 show the reverseside of the interior central region and portions of the panels extendingoutward and beyond the side edges of the interior central region.

[0031] Regarding the planar sheet, pattern or die cut silhouettes inFIGS. 1,7,13,17,23, generally any type of paper will do. However, onemay also use any other thin piece of material, fiber, plastic, or solidform that will lend itself to the same characteristics as any weight ofpaper or foldable/bendable surface.

[0032] By the terms interior central region or basic shape, I mean theinside, center portion from the demarcation fold lines from which planarshapes such as but not limited to a pentagon FIGS. 1,7,9,15,17, triangleFIG. 13, square FIG. 11, randomly cut into pentagon FIG. 15, hexagonFIGS. 23,24 are apparent. The demarcation of the interior central regionor planar shape from the panels extending outward are illustrated bydashed lines in FIGS. 1,2,3,45,7,9,11,13,15,17,19,20,23,24.

[0033] The side edges of the card is the demarcation area between theinterior central region 11 in FIG. 1 and the panels 12,13,14,15,16 inFIG. 1 extending outwardly. The demarcation between the regions may bein the form of a printed fold line, written or verbal instructions,perforations, scored, or the area in which to attach another panel usinganother substance or object which may be produced by hand, mechanical,computerized or a combination thereof. The side edges represent thehinge or placement of the area to be folded inward. Not all side edgesor demarcation lines are required to have a panel attached to it nor isthe panel required to be folded inward such as 233, 236 in FIG. 23.

[0034] By the term panels, I mean an appendage or extremity extendingoutwardly from the interior central region FIGS. 1,7,13,17,23 and placedat the fold or demarcation line. Typically each panel is a continualpart of the planar sheet; however, one or more panels may be attached bysome form of adhesive or device 151,152,153,154 in FIG. 15,161,162,163,164,165 in FIG. 16, and 202,203,204,205,206 in FIG. 20. Somepanels may be of a different foldable substance from the interiorcentral region. Each panel may be solid, cut out or not whole, foldedand a variety of shapes and sizes.

[0035] In my invention, on the other hand, the panel size is generallyin the range of 0% to 1000% of the interior central region. For largersized card items, the panel size % may be in the lower end of the range,and for smaller sized cards, the panel size % may be in the higher endof the range. This way, there is plenty of panel sizes to cover theinner basic shape of the card when folded down and inward to form theshape of a human, animal, plant, object, etc.

[0036] Regarding the human, animal, plant, object, etc. forms. Forexample, two or three panels would form each side of the face 211,212,214 in FIG. 21 for a human and 222,224 in FIG. 22 for animal,another panel would fold down and form the chin 213 in FIG. 21 or 223 inFIG. 22, then one or two more panels would form two ears 221,225 in FIG.22 (for an animal), or the top of a head 215 in FIG. 21 (for a human).In the case of a flower in FIG. 10 (plant) each panel folds to create apetal 101,102,103,104,105. In the case of a shape FIG. 12, each panelcombines to form the appearance of a star 121,122,123,124 and141,142,143 in FIG. 14 depicts an object a tree.

[0037] By the term additional ornaments attached, I mean printing orpainting as in FIGS. 8,10,12,14,16,17,18,21,22,23,24, additional layersof paper 83,87 in FIG. 8, a string for an ornament 186 in FIG. 18 and207 in FIG. 20, ribbon for a bow card 144 in FIG. 14, stickers, glitter,or objects may be attached to the existing card shape. As in FIGS.15,16, additional leaves 151,152,153 in FIG. 15 and 161,162,163,164,165in FIG. 16 are glued to the underside of the petals. Additionalornaments enhance and decorate the object, but may also be an integralpart of the card.

[0038] Regarding the adhesive back side of the card. Components such asa double sided sticker, stapled sticker, sticky pad, magnet, elastic,ribbon, string, or any other object which would secure the card to apackage, gift or other object would do. Additional ornaments such asglitter, lace, beads, etc. may also be added, but is optional.

[0039] To make or manufacture my invention, each device will be producedfrom a planar sheet of paper, material or any other foldable/bendablesurface either by hand, mechanical, computerized or any combinationthereof. Each planar sheet will have a basic pattern FIGS. 1,7,13,17,23.From each basic pattern one may cut out the pattern piece usingscissors, craft cutting devices, perforated edges or for largemanufactured processes, each pattern will have a die fabricated to diecut the pattern to produce the device. Some manufactured processes maywish to enclose instructions for the fold lines, score, perforate, orprint the fold lines where each crease or hinge is placed to facilitatethe folding of each panel. Other manufactured processed may include amechanical or computerized device to assist in the design, assembly andfabrication of this device. Each planar sheet will be plain or solid incolor, while others will have color attached to the planar sheet priorto die cutting the device. Some devices may be sold plain or solid withno designs attached as craft items, ready for the design to be added bythe consumer. Other devices may be purchased with the design andornaments all ready attached for the consumer to further thevisualization of the form.

[0040] After the planar sheet is processed with the basic ornamentaldesign (if any) and die cut, then another alternative is to addadditional enhancements to the device such as glitter, stickers, extraleaves, fringes, etc.

[0041] A greeting may be added to the front as in FIG. 10 and inside, oradditional graphics on the inside of the device and inside of the panels231,232,234,235 in FIG. 23.

[0042] Devices may be die cut and scored ready for the consumer to applythe ornamental design on each panel, or already made with ornamentaldrawings on each panel, adding definition, style and color to thedevice.

[0043] Patterns as in FIGS. 1,7,13,17,23 and instructions to make thedevices may also be available for the consumer.

[0044] While there is shown and described the present preferredembodiment of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that thisinvention is not limited thereto but may be variously embodied topractice within the scope of the foregoing description and claims.

What I claim as my invention is:
 1. A bow, card, packaging device,shipping or packing bow/card, ornament, invitation, party favor, noveltyitem, toy, craft item, piece of fine art, brochure or promotional item,etc., comprising of: A planar sheet of paper or other foldable/bendablesurfaces, which has an interior basic shape or central region with sideedges; fold lines, perforations, scoring and/or enclosed instructionsare the demarcation of the side edges; from the side edges of the basicshape or central region extend panels of same or different material;some or all panels fold in towards the central region; when the panelsare combined or assembled together a caricature, plant, human, theme,shape, object, etc. is formed; one, few or all sides of the panels maycontribute to the formation of the shape. a single sheet of paper orfoldable/bendable material, which is cut and scored with each panel ofpaper ready to fold, or already folded to form the unified caricature,plant, human, theme, shape, object, etc when the device is folded andflipped over to the reverse side, the interior central region isapparent each panel works together to form the caricature or theme ofthe card each panel, when combined together will cover the interiorcentral region and may fasten in front of the device by themselves, orby using another securing device or adhesive, creating a unifiedcaricature, plant, human, theme, shape, object, etc methods of makingthe device include by hand, mechanical, computerized or any combinationthereof.
 2. a single sheet of paper or foldable/bendable material, whichhas the pattern, template, instructions or means to make the form as inclaim 1
 3. paper or foldable/bendable material pre-folded with a designand/or letters, numbers, and/or words attached as in claim 1
 4. paper orfoldable/bendable material pre-folded with additional ornaments attachedto enhance the affect of the card such as (but not limited to) stickers,glitter, additional paper, lace, protective coating, etc. as in claim 1and/or claim 3
 5. a craft item package with instructions as in claim 1,claim 2, claim 3, and/or claim 4
 6. a device with an adhesive back side,such as but not limited to a sticky pad, magnet, elastic band, glue,tape, ribbon, or string as in claim 1, claim 3, claim 4, and/or claim
 57. a device which is attached or a part of other objects for addeddecoration or usefulness such as but not limited to an envelope, box,bag, wrapping paper, card, other packaging or promotional samples as inclaim 1, claim 3, claim 4, claim 5, and/or claim 6
 8. a device displayedas fine art as in claim 1, claim 3, claim 4, claim 5, claim 6 and/orclaim 7
 9. a device which is placed in a clear pouch and secured (orwith instructions to secure) to the outside of a gift or package as inclaim 1, claim 3, claim 4, claim 5, claim 6 and/or claim 7 the clearpouch may have additional designs or writing such as “packing bowenclosed” or “shipping bow enclosed” printed on or in the clear pouch10. a gift wrap item/package with instructions or implied instructionsfor use as in claim 1, claim 3, claim 4, claim 6, claim 7 and/or claim 9